Neurons neurotransmitter reuptake

GABA transporter GAT1 (SLC6A1) GABAergic neurons in CNS <10 Clearance of interstitial neurotransmitter, reuptake into neurons Tiagabine, an antiepileptic drug... 

The recovery of neurotransmitters from synaptic clefts and their storage in cytoplasmic vesicles is accomplished by the tandem actions of the secondary transporters in plasma and vesicular membranes. Sodium-dependent symporters mediate neurotransmitter reuptake from synaptic clefts into neurons and glia, whereas proton-dependent antiporters concentrate neurotransmitters from neuronal cytoplasm into synaptic vesicles (Fig. 5-13). 

Amphetamines not only mimic the action of norepinephrine and dopamine they also boost the levels of these neurotransmitters in a synaptic cleft by blocking their removal. Normally, neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by presynaptic neurons after they have exerted their effect on postsynaptic receptor sites. This process, commonly called neurotransmitter reuptake and illustrated in Figure 14.24, is the body s way of recycling neurotransmitters, molecules that are difficult to synthesize. Special membrane-embedded proteins are required to pull once-used neurotransmitter molecules back into a presynaptic neuron. Amphetamines inactivate norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake proteins by binding to them. As a consequence, the concentration of these stimulating neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft is maintained at a higher-than-normal level. 

Neurotransmitter reuptake A mechanism whereby a presynaptic neuron absorbs neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft for reuse. 

FIGURE 1—9- Neurotransmitter synthesis in a neuropeptidergic neuron. Neurotransmitter synthesis occurs only in the cell body because the complex machinery for neuropeptide synthesis is not transported into the axon terminal. Synthesis of a specific neuropeptide begins with the transcription of the pre-propeptide gene in the cell nucleus into primary RNA, which can be rearranged or edited to create different versions of RNA, known as alternative splice variants or pre-propeptide RNA. Next, RNA is translated into a pre-propeptide, which enters the endoplasmic reticulum, where its peptide tail is clipped off by an enzyme called a signal peptidase to form the propeptide, the direct precursor of the neuropeptide neurotransmitter. Finally, the propeptide enters synaptic vesicles, where it is converted into the neuropeptide itself. Synaptic vesicles loaded with neuropeptide neurotransmitters are transported down to the axon terminals, where there is no reuptake pump for neuropeptides. The action of peptides is terminated by catabolic peptidases, which cut the peptide neurotransmitter into inactive metabolites. 

FIGURE 2—21. The neurotransmitter reuptake transporter can bind neurotransmitter molecules at specific binding sites. Here the neurotransmitter is bound to transporter sites, ready for a trip inside the neuron. It is now binding the neurotransmitter serotonin (SHT) because it has found sodium ions, which have increased its affinity for serotonin, resulting in the tires being pumped up and full of air, ready for transport. 

An example of negative allosteric modulation is the case of the antidepressants, which act as neurotransmitter reuptake blockers for the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin. This has already been discussed in Chapter 2. When the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin bind to their own selective receptor sites, they are normally transported back into the presynaptic neuron, as shown in Figure 2-23- Thus the empty reuptake carrier (Fig. 2—20) binds to the neurotransmitter (Fig. 2—21) to begin the transport process (Fig. 2—23). However, when certain antidepressants bind to an allosteric site close to the neurotransmitter transporter (represented as an icon in Figs. 2—22 and 2—24), this causes the neurotransmitter to no longer be able to bind there, thereby blocking synaptic re-... 

FIGURE 5—16. Tricyclic antidepressants exert their antidepressant action by blocking the neurotransmitter reuptake pump, thus causing neurotransmitter to accumulate. This accumulation, according to the monoamine hypothesis, reverses the prior neurotransmitter deficiency (see Fig. 5—14) and relieves depression by returning the monoamine neuron to the normal state. 

Fluoxetine (Prozac /Lilly), paroxetine (Paxil /GlaxoSmithKilne), and sertraline (Zoloft /Pfizer) are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and are useful in the treatment of depression. These agents potentiate the pharmacological actions of the neurotransmitter serotonin by preventing its reuptake at presynaptic neuronal membranes. In addition to its SSRI properties, venlafaxine (EfFexor /Wyeth-Ayerst) also appears to be a potent inhibitor of neuronal norepinephrine reuptake and a weak inhibitor of dopamine reuptake thereby enhancing the actions of these neurotransmitters as well. Venlafaxine is indicated for use in anxiety and depression. 

After release from storage sites in presynaptic monoamine transporter vesides, DA is bound by postsynaptic DA receptors, and unbound DA is broken down by enzymes, or taken back into presynaptic neurons, called reuptake into presynaptic neurons by spedfic presynaptic protein transporters. The uptake of neurotransmitters by presynaptic neurons is a major mechanism for stopping neurotransmission. The recyded neurotransmitter is repackaged in vesicles in presynaptic neurons, and then rdeased again in response to stimulation by presynaptic electrical action potentials. Tracers have been developed to assess the vesicular membranes, as well as the specific reuptake protein transporters. The selectivity with which monoaminergic neurons store DA, 5-HT, NER, or histamine in presynaptic vesides depends on the spedficity of the membrane transporters. 

The TCAs, such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and dox-epin (Sinequan), inhibit reuptake of norepinephrine or serotonin at the presynaptic neuron. Drug classified as MAOIs inhibit the activity of monoamine oxidase a complex enzyme system that is responsible for breaking down amines. This results in an increase in endogenous epinephrine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the nervous system. An increase in these neurohormones results in stimulation of the CNS. The action of the SSRIs is linked to their inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin (a CNS neurotransmitter). The increase in serotonin levels is thought to act as a stimulant to reverse depression. 

Schuldiner, S (1998) Vesicular neurotransmitter transporters. In Neurotransmitter Transporters Structure, Function, and Regulation (Ed. Reith, MEA), Humana Press, Totowa, NJ, pp. 215-240. Stanford, SC (1995) Central noradrenergic neurones and stress. Pharmac. Ther. 68 297-342. Stanford, SC (1999) SSRI-induced changes in catecholaminergic transmission. In Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Past, Present and Future (Ed. Stanford, SC), RG Landes Co., Austin, TX, pp. 147-170. 

Figure 20.1 Schematic diagram illustrating how antidepressants increase the concentration of extraneuronal neurotransmitter (noradrenaline and/or 5-HT). In the absence of drug (b), monoamine oxidase on the outer membrane of mitochondria metabolises cytoplasmic neurotransmitter and limits its concentration. Also, transmitter released by exocytosis is sequestered from the extracellular space by the membrane-bound transporters which limit the concentration of extraneuronal transmitter. In the presence of a MAO inhibitor (a), the concentration of cytoplasmic transmitter increases, causing a secondary increase in the vesicular pool of transmitter (illustrated by the increase in the size of the vesicle core). As a consequence, exocytotic release of transmitter is increased. Blocking the inhibitory presynaptic autoreceptors would also increase transmitter release, as shown by the absence of this receptor in the figure. In the presence of a neuronal reuptake inhibitor (c), the membrane-bound transporter is inactivated and the clearance of transmitter from the synapse is diminished...

After neurotransmitter molecules have influenced the firing of a receiving neuron (more technically called a postsynaptic neuron), some of them are destroyed by enzymes in the synaptic cleft (the synapse), some are reabsorbed by the sending presynaptic neuron in a process that is called reuptake , and the rest remain in the space between the two neurons. The chemical-imbalance hypothesis is that there is not enough serotonin, norepinephrine and/or dopamine in the synapses of the brain. This is more specifically termed the monoamine theory of depression, because both serotonin and norepinephrine belong to the class of neurotransmitters called monoamines. 

The answer is that there are two ways in which neurotransmitter levels might be increased. One is to inhibit their destruction after they have been released into the synaptic gap. That is how MAOIs are supposed to work. Recall, however, that after a neurotransmitter is released, some of its molecules are reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron that released them in a process that is called reuptake . Blocking this reuptake process should also increase the level of neuro transmitters in the brain. In 1961, Julius Axelrod, who later received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work on the release and reuptake of neurotransmitters, reported that imipramine, as well as a few other drugs, inhibited the reuptake of norepinephrine in cats. Two years later he reported that these drugs also inhibited the reuptake of serotonin.13... 

Active reuptake of the neurotransmitter into the synaptic knob of the presynaptic neuron for reuse or enzymatic destruction... 

The primary mechanism used by cholinergic synapses is enzymatic degradation. Acetylcholinesterase hydrolyzes acetylcholine to its components choline and acetate it is one of the fastest acting enzymes in the body and acetylcholine removal occurs in less than 1 msec. The most important mechanism for removal of norepinephrine from the neuroeffector junction is the reuptake of this neurotransmitter into the sympathetic neuron that released it. Norepinephrine may then be metabolized intraneuronally by monoamine oxidase (MAO). The circulating catecholamines — epinephrine and norepinephrine — are inactivated by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in the liver. 

Because duration of activity of the catecholamines is significantly longer than that of neuronally released norepinephrine, the effects on tissues are more prolonged. This difference has to do with the mechanism of inactivation of these substances. Norepinephrine is immediately removed from the neuroeffector synapse by way of reuptake into the postganglionic neuron. This rapid removal limits duration of the effect of this neurotransmitter. In... 

Many neurotransmitters are inactivated by a combination of enzymic and non-enzymic methods. The monoamines - dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin (5-HT) - are actively transported back from the synaptic cleft into the cytoplasm of the presynaptic neuron. This process utilises specialised proteins called transporters, or carriers. The monoamine binds to the transporter and is then carried across the plasma membrane it is thus transported back into the cellular cytoplasm. A number of psychotropic drugs selectively or non-selectively inhibit this reuptake process. They compete with the monoamines for the available binding sites on the transporter, so slowing the removal of the neurotransmitter from the synaptic cleft. The overall result is prolonged stimulation of the receptor. The tricyclic antidepressant imipramine inhibits the transport of both noradrenaline and 5-HT. While the selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor reboxetine and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine block the noradrenaline transporter (NAT) and serotonin transporter (SERT), respectively. Cocaine non-selectively blocks both the NAT and dopamine transporter (DAT) whereas the smoking cessation facilitator and antidepressant bupropion is a more selective DAT inhibitor. 

The answer is b. (Hardman, p 790.) Neuronal uptake is necessary for the hypotensive action of guanethidine. It competes for the norepinephrine storage site and, in time, replaces the natural neurotransmitter. This is the basis of its hypotensive effect. Drugs that prevent reuptake by the neurons, such as cocaine, would destroy the effectiveness of guanethidine... 

At least two classes of regulated secretion can be defined [54]. The standard regulated secretion pathway is common to all secretory cells (i.e. adrenal chromaffin cells, pancreatic beta cells, etc.) and works on a time scale of minutes or even longer in terms of both secretory response to a stimulus and reuptake of membranes after secretion. The second, much faster, neuron-specific form of regulated secretion is release of neurotransmitters at the synapse. Release of neurotransmitters may occur within fractions of a second after a stimulus and reuptake is on the order of seconds. Indeed, synaptic vesicles may be recycled and ready for another round of neurotransmitter release within 1-2 minutes [64]. These two classes of regulated secretion will be discussed separately after a consideration of secretory vesicle biogenesis. 

Adenosine is not a classical neurotransmitter because it is not stored in neuronal synaptic granules or released in quanta. It is generally thought of as a neuromodulator that gains access to the extracellular space in part from the breakdown of extracellular adenine nucleotides and in part by translocation from the cytoplasm of cells by nucleoside transport proteins, particularly in stressed or ischemic tissues (Fig. 17-2C). Extracellular adenosine is rapidly removed in part by reuptake into cells and conversion to AMP by adenosine kinase and in part by degradation to inosine by adenosine deaminases. Adenosine deaminase is mainly cytosolic but it also occurs as a cell surface ectoenzyme. 

The communication between neurons occurs at either gap junctions (electrical synapses) or chemical synapses with release of neurotransmitters from a presynaptic neuron and their detection by a postsynaptic nerve cell (Fig. 17.1). Neurotransmitters not used in the synaptic cleft are removed promptly by either uptake into adjacent cells, reuptake in the presynaptic neuron, or are degraded by enzymatic systems. 

This conclusion is supported by the mechaiusm of action of imipramine. Once a neurotransmitter has been released into the synapse, there are two ways to terminate its action. The first is to degrade it to inactive products, by MAO for example. The second is to remove the neurotransmitter through reuptake into the presynaptic neuron. This mechaiusm is the predominant one for clearing the synapse of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Specific proteins embedded in the neuronal plasma membrane mediate the reuptake of these monoamine neurotransmitters. Imipramine is a nonspecific monoamine reuptake inhibitor that is, it slows the reuptake of aU three of these monoamines, which enhances the activity of these neurotransmitters. This also suggests that a deficit in the activity of one or more of the monoamines underlies the problem of depression. 

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